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Daud Olatunji
The Aare Mayegun of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, Aare Kazeem Bakinson, has attributed Nigeria’s growing socio-economic challenges to poor and uninspired leadership, saying the nation’s blessings in terms of human and natural resources are being wasted due to failure of integrity at the top.
Bakinson, an expert in regional and urban planning, said this while addressing journalists on Saturday in Abeokuta ahead of the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform Symposium, scheduled for October 24, 2025 at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).
He declared that “leadership is Nigeria’s problem,” adding that until leaders demonstrate integrity and discipline, the country will continue to lag behind nations with fewer resources.
“We’re lucky to have natural resources; we’re lucky to have hard-working people,” he said. “But leadership is our problem. Leadership is about integrity: integrity is what you do when no one is watching.
“If we get the right leadership, our roads will be better, hospitals will be well managed, worship will be reduced in our universities and the family unit will be stronger.”
Lamenting the poor state of governance and law enforcement, the Aare Mayegun noted that the country’s justice and security systems have also been weakened by poor pay and neglect.
“Our laws are broken and enforcement is weak. Police and teachers – people who should be highly compensated – are being left hanging. Some of our cops look street-worn. They are angry at the system, not at our friends,” he said.
“Some of them are forced to drink alcohol just to stay on the streets and do their jobs. How can these people enforce law and order? Without enforcement, there can be no discipline.”
Bakinson also decried the disconnect between political office holders and the people they are supposed to serve.
“We are in a situation where the president of a local government does not live in the local government,” he lamented. “70% of our buildings don’t even have government approval. A country that has been successful is a country with real leadership. Unfortunately, we have leaders who don’t know what they’re doing.”
He questioned the patriotism of Nigerian leaders whose families are disconnected from the reality of citizens.
“How many governors’ children go to school in this country?” he asked. “That’s why they don’t care about our education system or hospitals. Leadership means being part of the system you govern.”
Drawing comparisons with the UK, Bakinson described the stark difference in order and discipline between the two countries.
“I just got back from the UK. I was in a place where I didn’t know where the water or gas was coming from, yet everything worked perfectly,” he said.
“If you ask for a train at 10.25pm, it will arrive exactly at 10.25pm, right down to the last second. That’s what leadership and discipline means. I went to a party there that ended at 10pm. We wanted to continue, but they said no: the agreement with the neighbors was that no music would be played after 10.01pm. This is leadership, this is order.”
Speaking at the upcoming Ajibosin Platform Symposium, Bakinson said the event aims to cultivate a new generation of values-driven Nigerian leaders and thinkers.
“We want future leaders to aspire to become panelists on the Ajibosin platform,” he explained. “We want it to be an apolitical, ideas-driven movement that promotes integrity, accountability and excellence in leadership.”
“Our aim is to make the Ajibosin event as attractive as a Chelsea-Arsenal match,” he added with a smile. “This is our vision – and I want everyone to understand it.”
The symposium, themed “The Importance of Leadership in Governance”, will be chaired by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, with former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), and former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, as guest speakers. Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) will deliver the keynote address.
Bakinson concluded by calling on the media and Nigerian youth to work together to redefine the country’s leadership culture.
“Beyond what we say in our private corners, we want the future to hear us through the media: print, broadcast and digital,” he said. “This vision is priceless. Leadership is the foundation and until we solve the problem, nothing will work.”
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